New circuit to the shed.

[AndyC.]

Hi all,
It is my first post. I'm sorry if I do something stupid

I need some help with running new circuit to the shed on the back garden.
Basically I have been asked to fit a double socket and light in the shed.
The only one way to run power from main building to shed is to take a power from the kitchen ring.
I was thinking to fit IP44 outside socket drill through the wall and connect it to the kitchen ring. From outside socket I would run SWA 4 sq. mm armoured cable (approx. 6 meters.)
My question is, as there is an old CU and landlord does not want to replace it with current standard, what would be the best way to confirm with reg. I thought to fit RCBBO in the CU for the kitchen ring.
Does it sound right?

Another question I have, is there any alternative way to run the cable from building to the shed? for example T&E in trunking clipped on fence?

If you need more info, please just let me know.

 

[sparksburnout]

I agree with GMES, but you cannot pin the blame on the course organisers entirely. Just look at the OP's statement "My question is, as there is an old CU and landlord does not want to replace it with current standard". That says it all to me, in this case. B******y landlords are, in general, a bunch of penny pincher's with more thought to their own profit than their tenants safety. It should be a legal requirement that the electrical installation is brought up to current standards for a rental property,and inspected properly and regularly. The Landlord in this case is obviously quite happy to use a "builder", who he probably knows is not up to the job, to undertake the electrical work that he wants done. Judging by the general narrative of the OP I could say a bit more on what the situation probably is but I better hadn't on here.
I don't know what comes over people when they decide to become a "Landlord", I presume it is possibly because they are trying to use the situation to make relatively small margins due to general poor investment opportunities and are trying to keep expenditure to an absolute minimum, but it is certainly not conducive to safety. I recently did a periodic for a Lady that I know fairly well and is well off. It was satisfactory but I made a recommendation for an RCD upgrade, which could have been accomplished easily and quite cheaply by the fitting of a couple of RCBO's, along with a detailed separate report and fact sheet. Do you know she didn't even ask me how much it would cost, and there is a young family in the property. The only way to make things happen is for it to be a legal requirement for any rental property to be on a council register and inspected properly, for everything. I have yet to meet a Landlord who seems to be genuinely concerned for their tenants well being. I had one the other day, moaning that he had just had to shell out £4K for a new boiler - "I won't be able to go on holiday now", was his comment, this after the single parent had been without hot water for 4 weeks and only 1 working downstairs socket, I was gobsmacked. At least the council did step in and re-house her on this occasion, but that is at our expense not the Landlords!

 

[Octopus]

I would quote to do it properly...... Landlords are a pita imho

 

[Midwest]

Concur with comments about landlords. My eldest rents, every time he's moved flats, we've left the old one immaculate. But he still got 'fined' cleaning off dust on top door architrave or mark on carpet, etc etc. First one he moved out of, only got about 25% of the deposit back. Learnt now though, use a cleaning company as recommended by letting agents. Last landlord tried it on, until we reminded the letting agent, we used the cleaning company they'd recommended. Shysters.
Rant over.

 

[Spoon]

Not all landlords are bad.
Not all people can get an apprenticeship.
Not all people can do a 3 year course.
Not many people can gain experience under someone's wing. Just look at the number of people asking for experience.

 

[sparksburnout]

Concur with comments about landlords. My eldest rents, every time he's moved flats, we've left the old one immaculate. But he still got 'fined' cleaning off dust on top door architrave or mark on carpet, etc etc. First one he moved out of, only got about 25% of the deposit back. Learnt now though, use a cleaning company as recommended by letting agents. Last landlord tried it on, until we reminded the letting agent, we used the cleaning company they'd recommended. Shysters.
Rant over.

Don't get me started mate. My Son also rents, it is just one continuous trail of misery. Unregulated, some of them bordering on criminal. Outrageous monthly payments for ageing old properties that fall far below the standards most people would accept. How's this for taking the mick? Few months ago during heavy rain the roof leaked, and I mean leaked, so he rings the number the dear Letting Agency had given them (he shares), no reply, repeatedly. No answerphone, nothing, just no reply. So, they ring the "emergency" number. Result? They get fined £25 nfor "improper use". If you protest and kick off, you just get threatened with being booted out, as where he has to rent there is a shortage of rentals. Unless you are involved in it you wouldn't believe it..........

 

[sparksburnout]

Not all landlords are bad. They are round here
Not all people can get an apprenticeship. True
Not all people can do a 3 year course. Debatable
Not many people can gain experience under someone's wing. Just look at the number of people asking for experience.

A sad fact of life, but it's no excuse for launching yourself upon the general public when you do not have the required experience. Until the educational bodies and politicians start to recognise that we need young people to enter into apprenticeships (proper ones, not baking frozen rolls in supermarkets), rather than going to University to get a degree in an ****ology, we will always have this problem. It seems to me that entering into a trade is seen as some sort of second best option amongst far too many people. Where my kids went to school/college it was not even on their radar. I think it was that Blair bloke again.......

 

[Spoon]

Don't get me started mate. My Son also rents, it is just one continuous trail of misery. Unregulated, some of them bordering on criminal. Outrageous monthly payments for ageing old properties that fall far below the standards most people would accept. How's this for taking the mick? Few months ago during heavy rain the roof leaked, and I mean leaked, so he rings the number the dear Letting Agency had given them (he shares), no reply, repeatedly. No answerphone, nothing, just no reply. So, they ring the "emergency" number. Result? They get fined £25 nfor "improper use". If you protest and kick off, you just get threatened with being booted out, as where he has to rent there is a shortage of rentals. Unless you are involved in it you wouldn't believe it..........

You may want to talk to some landlords about the people who rent their property.... Same nasty stories...

 

[Spoon]

A sad fact of life, but it's no excuse for launching yourself upon the general public when you do not have the required experience. Until the educational bodies and politicians start to recognise that we need young people to enter into apprenticeships (proper ones, not baking frozen rolls in supermarkets), rather than going to University to get a degree in an ****ology, we will always have this problem. It seems to me that entering into a trade is seen as some sort of second best option amongst far too many people. Where my kids went to school/college it was not even on their radar. I think it was that Blair bloke again.......

The point I'm trying to put over is I don't know the OP. He could be just a guy trying to learn and gain more info... he could be a d*ck... I don't know... I'm going with the former until I know better.
Todays market and companies are all about profit... Nothing else. That is the sad fact of life!

 

[GMES]

Not all landlords are bad.
Not all people can get an apprenticeship.
Not all people can do a 3 year course.
Not many people can gain experience under someone's wing. Just look at the number of people asking for experience.

All valid points mate, but would you attempt an heart transplant after doing a short course just because it was all that was available, I would hope that your answer is no. I get it that not everyone can get a proper apprenticeship but that doesn't mean they should be allowed to go self employed imediately after doing one, which is exactly what a lot of the course providers are tempting them with, Yeah do this course and within a couple of months you'll be earning Thousands!!!!!! sadly this is what are lot of poor guys are getting brainwashed with.

 

[Spoon]

All valid points mate, but would you attempt an heart transplant after doing a short course just because it was all that was available, I would hope that your answer is no.

You can't class a surgeon and an electrician together. To get power to a shed is relatively easy. Doing it to the regs is a different matter.
How many people on here that are not qualified to do so tinker with other stuff like gas, car brakes....? Whey want to save money and think they can do it them selves.

I get it that not everyone can get a proper apprenticeship but that doesn't mean they should be allowed to go self employed imediately after doing one, which is exactly what a lot of the course providers are tempting them with, Yeah do this course and within a couple of months you'll be earning Thousands!!!!!! sadly this is what are lot of poor guys are getting brainwashed with.

Again, this is all about profit and nothing else... That's what the guys running the course care about. The industry doesn't care as they will be getting some of the money. This is what we have now. Unfortunately this is not going to change. The market is saturated with Domestic Electricians and Domestic Installers. Does the industry care..... No.

 

[sparksburnout]

The point I'm trying to put over is I don't know the OP. He could be just a guy trying to learn and gain more info... he could be a d*ck... I don't know... I'm going with the former until I know better.
Todays market and companies are all about profit... Nothing else. That is the sad fact of life!

Couldn't agree more with that last statement!

 

[Midwest]

Not all landlords are bad.
QUOTE]

Don't disagree with the rest of what you said, but I, through my son have only met one decent landlord, an old chap that kinda took my lad under his wing.

Most others are managed by letting agents that pander to their clients whims, new carpets, fresh coat of paint etc, all paid for by the tenant leaving. Turning up with prospected tenants unannounced, checking the property without an appointment.

My lad has the finances to rent decent lets. But the attitude of the landlords (or agent) is still dismissive. The block he was in was without water over a weekend, and the tenants were told it would get fixed the following week, get some bottle water instead. And recently visited him when he was very ill, I was told even explaining the situation, to move my van (commercial) or it would get clamped.

Agree there're a minority of bad tenants, but the majority of good tenants pay for it.

Second rant over.

 

[rolyberkin]

Short of wiping my tenants arse there is not much else that I haven't done for her, it's like having a second bloody wife nagging me, am I doing something wrong? Perhaps I should toughen up?

 

[sparksburnout]

You may want to talk to some landlords about the people who rent their property.... Same nasty stories...

Yes, there are a few bad tenants, there always are in any walk of life, but I have met quite a few and generally they are very nice, reasonable people. On the other hand, most of the Landlords I have encountered are not. As I suggested I believe it is that they are using the opportunity to make as much money as possible, and their greed takes priority over their responsibility. We are, unfortunately, becoming a greedy society? I heard on the radio the other day that a couple who earned £74K between them classed them selves as JAM's - just about managing. ??? Managing to do what I wonder.

 

[sparksburnout]

Short of wiping my tenants arse there is not much else that I haven't done for her, it's like having a second bloody wife nagging me, am I doing something wrong? Perhaps I should toughen up?

I think you should pat yourself on the back then, you are one of the few.